Jeremiah 12:1

“However, You are righteous in all that has come upon us; For You have dealt in truth, but we have acted wickedly.

“Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful?

Be still in Yahweh and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out schemes of wickedness.

For I was envious of the boastful, I saw the peace of the wicked.

Gracious is Yahweh, and righteous; And our God is compassionate.

Righteous are You, O Yahweh, And upright are Your judgments.

There is vanity which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the works of the wicked. On the other hand, there are wicked men to whom it happens according to the works of the righteous. I say that this too is vanity.

Oh that I had in the desert A travelers’ lodging place, That I might leave my people And go from them! For all of them are adulterers, A solemn assembly of treacherous men.

“After I had given the deed of purchase to Baruch the son of Neriah, then I prayed to Yahweh, saying,

“Yahweh is righteous; For I have rebelled against His command; Hear now, all peoples, And behold my pain; My virgins and my young men Have gone into captivity.

“Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right.’ Hear now, O house of Israel! Is My way not right? Is it not your ways that are not right?

Your eyes are too pure to see evil, And You cannot look on trouble. Why do You look On those who deal treacherously? Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up Those more righteous than they?

Jeremiah’s Plea